Niall Shukla, a remarkably skilled and self-taught artist, creates stunningly intricate portraits on laminated glass by meticulously cracking it with controlled hammer strikes.
This unique art form is paradoxical and captivating; Shukla wields various metal hammers and chisels to chip away at glass panels, generating cracks that eventually transform into beautifully detailed images. His technique demands immense patience and precision, as each strike must be carefully calculated in both pressure and placement; a single misstep can shatter the glass beyond repair, forcing him to begin anew.
More: Niall Shukla, Instagram h/t: odditycentral
Shukla shared with *Museum Weekly Magazine* that the process is fraught with trial and error, explaining that any miscalculated strike requires him to start from scratch with fresh glass, often going through multiple sheets before achieving the desired outcome.
Although his background lies in writing and film directing, Shukla began creating physical art as a personal escape, and one day, on a whim, he posted one of his cracked glass pieces on social media—an act that unexpectedly garnered over 4 million views within days.
Despite the random nature of cracked glass patterns, Shukla carefully plans his approach to each piece, adapting his vision to the unpredictable qualities of the medium and experimenting tirelessly to capture the monochromatic shades and forms he envisions.